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SOMERS, N.Y. – Members of Somers Girl Scout Troop 2971 appeared Thursday before the Somers Town Board to ask permission to display a large troop-created banner emphasizing the importance of healthy air.

“We’ve been working on our Breathe Journey Project, which is all about the importance of clean air,” said Scout Sophia Slezak. “It’s about how clean air affects health and life and how our trees contribute to this.”

Scout Isabella Slezak explained that a single tree produces 260 pounds of oxygen per year. Two mature trees can produce enough oxygen to support a family of four annually.

“We take our air for granted,” said Scout Lauren Hurst. As an experiment, the Scouts asked the audience to hold its breath as long as possible.

“You might live for 40 days without food and three days without water, but you’ll only live about eight minutes without air,” Hurst said.

Scout Jenna Straube said their banner will consist of recycled materials and will feature information about clean air and its relationship to trees. When it is completed, it will be signed by children and adults from the Somers community during a showing of “The Lorax” at Somers Middle School.

Straube summed up the presentation by asking permission to display the banner in the Somers Town Hall, “to be viewed by all who make decisions about Somers, our environment and our quality of life.”

“We can certainly display it here in the Town House,” replied Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy on behalf of the board. “Say, for a month or so? Maybe during April? Earth Week might be a good time.”

Councilman Richard Clinchy wondered how the Scouts would get signatures.

“We’ll get them at the movie, and also during lunch periods at school, people can go and sign it,” was the reply.